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EU court rules that Adidas’s three stripes trademark is invalid

epa000306383 (FILES) File combo dated 4 March 2004 shows the trademark three stripes of adidas, on several 60s and 70s retro style shoes. The world's second largest sports apparel manufacturer adidas-Salomon has raised sales and turnover for the third quarter of 2004. Revenue rose by 5 per cent to 1.95 billion euros the company announced at their headquarters in Herzogenaurach, Germany, Wednesday 3 November 2004. Earnings jumped by 19 per cent to 179 million euros. EPA/Rolf Vennenbernd

The European Union’s second highest court ruled on Wednesday that Adidas’s trademark consisting of three parallel stripes was invalid. The court called it “an ordinary figurative mark.”

The General Court of the European Union said it upheld a decision of the European Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) in 2016 to annul a previous decision to accept the mark on the basis that it was devoid of any distinctive character.

Adidas could still bring an appeal to the European Court of Justice.

Via DW

Filed under European UnionGermany

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